I do not find it socially competitive at all and you see friendships, parents and girls alike, crossing over socioeconomic, racial and religious lines. However, many, many parents are competitive on behalf of their daughters, but I don't know if that's any different than any other school in the Washington area. Agree with earlier posters that it is more nurturing and welcoming than NCS.

Anonymous wrote:
Don't even know what that means. 13:29's post is quite good. Re: interaction with boys, in high school NCS/STA have a good opportunity to cross-register for classes (junior year English is also designed to be co-ed); some teams (x-country, swimming, track) train together; and the arts are joint (choral groups, drama, orchestra, some studio arts). That and chapel/religion are biggest differences I see; Landon is Holton's brother school but the distance between campuses cuts down on some of the opportunities for interaction.

I think the only difference in interaction with the boys is classes, although they also don't have the day-to-day opportunities to hangout together at Holton, with the Cathedral kids sometimes see each other on the Close. Holton discontinued classes with Landon several years ago b/c of the distance and scheduling complications that created. They do work together for arts programs and several sports train together as at NCS. The uniform is also worth noting - I think it makes a big difference to have one in Upper School as Holton does.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Holton less socially competitive than NCS?

I understand academic and athletic competition, but what is social competitiveness? Is that a race to figure out where the salad fork goes?

New poster here. I didn't post the earlier question but think of social competitiveness as things like whose family has more money, gets invited to the "right" events, how cliquey things are.

OP, is your daughter coming from one of the feeder schools (primary day, norwood, concord hill, beauvoir)? If so, perhaps you can have some information about incoming class make-up based on your outplacement point person?

Anonymous wrote:Is Holton less socially competitive than NCS?

I understand academic and athletic competition, but what is social competitiveness? Is that a race to figure out where the salad fork goes?

Is Holton less socially competitive than NCS?

You're in a great position PP. My DD was w/l at NCS and accepted at Holton and every day I'm thankful it worked out this way. Holton works better based on where we work/live and the community is very accepting, diverse and international, which has been great for our DD and our family. It feels like home and without sour grapes, I'm just not sure our family would have fit in at NCS the same way. It's still a great school though.

Anonymous wrote:NCS is comprised of a tough group of girls. If you're playing for keeps you're playing for NCS.

Don't even know what that means. 13:29's post is quite good. Re: interaction with boys, in high school NCS/STA have a good opportunity to cross-register for classes (junior year English is also designed to be co-ed); some teams (x-country, swimming, track) train together; and the arts are joint (choral groups, drama, orchestra, some studio arts). That and chapel/religion are biggest differences I see; Landon is Holton's brother school but the distance between campuses cuts down on some of the opportunities for interaction.

NCS is comprised of a tough group of girls. If you're playing for keeps you're playing for NCS.

Either would work out great. Good luck. I would pick the one closest to where you live. My daughter graduated Holton and is at an Ivy now. Actually, NCS was the only school she applied to that didn't accept her. But college-wise -- she obviously did quite well as she was the only one from either Holton or NCS who attended her particular Ivy from her year.
She didn't love Holton.

There might also be parents of current third graders the AD can connect you with.

Holton and no I didn't go there or have kids there.

Anonymous wrote:Also depends on the makeup of the class. It varies from year to year. You need to make sure the class has a group of girls that is accepting of new girls.

Talk to current parents in the class and see what the class is like.

This is a really good point. Your daughter can do shadow days, although for NCS at 4th everyone will be new - although the Beauvoir kids will know each other. Does your daughter know anyone else who would be in either class? If there's someone who'd be there who might make her feel really welcome or unwelcome, that's worth considering, although it's really only a short-run consideration. Go to the new parent events and see how you feel about the other families.

Also depends on the makeup of the class. It varies from year to year. You need to make sure the class has a group of girls that is accepting of new girls.

Talk to current parents in the class and see what the class is like.

They're both great schools, so it probably comes down to your daughter and her strengths. Your commute and proximity to her future classmates/friends should also be a consideration. Do you care about role of religion? Both have a great sports. NCS has more routine exposure to boys. Holton has a nationally known science and engineering program. Both seems to have strong arts programs. Both try hard to develop well-rounded girls; Holton probably puts more emphasis on nurturing/supporting the girls. Both, however, are very competitive, have great college acceptances, and can sometimes seem cutthroat.

Can anyone give us an idea whether NCS or Holton is a better school choice starting at 4th grade? Toured both Schools and admitted, but torn because we love both...help! Thanks!